The 10-Minute Pre-Trip Trailer Checklist

The Fourth of July weekend is one of the busiest towing weekends of the year. Boats, campers, side-by-sides, and work trailers all hit the road at the same time. Most trailer problems that happen on a trip can be caught in the driveway with a quick walk-around.

This checklist takes about ten minutes. Print it, save it on your phone, or just make it a habit before every tow.

1. Coupler and hitch ball

Start at the front, because this is where the trailer connects to everything else.

• Check that the ball size matches the coupler. The size is usually stamped on both the ball and the coupler.
• Make sure the coupler is fully seated over the ball and the latch is closed and pinned or locked.
• Lift up on the tongue with the jack a little. If the coupler pops off the ball, it wasn't seated.
• Make sure the ball mount pin and clip are in place in the receiver.

Our hitch basics guide explains ball sizes and hitch ratings if you're not sure what you have.

2. Safety chains

• Hook both chains to the tow vehicle, crossed under the tongue in an X. If the coupler ever comes loose, the crossed chains form a cradle that can catch the tongue.
• Leave enough slack for turns, but not so much that the chains drag on the road.
• Make sure the hooks are closed or latched so they can't bounce off.

3. Breakaway cable (if the trailer has brakes)

Trailers with electric brakes usually have a breakaway cable. Attach it to the tow vehicle, not to the safety chains. If the trailer comes loose, the cable pulls a pin and applies the trailer brakes.

4. Wiring and lights

• Plug in the trailer connector and make sure it's fully seated.
• With a helper, or by checking reflections in a window, test the running lights, brake lights, and both turn signals.
• Keep the wiring off the ground but with enough slack for turns.

If something isn't working, our trailer lights troubleshooting guide can help you track it down.

5. Trailer brakes and brake controller

If the trailer has electric brakes, check that your brake controller shows a connection. Then roll forward slowly and squeeze the manual lever on the controller. You should feel the trailer pull back. More on that in trailer brakes in plain English.

6. Tires and wheels

• Check tire pressure when the tires are cold, and fill them to the pressure on the tire sidewall or the trailer's sticker.
• Look for cracks, bulges, or worn spots.
• Make sure the lug nuts are all there and look tight.
• Glance at the hubs. Grease slung on the inside of the wheel can be a sign of a bearing seal problem.

Our trailer tire guide goes deeper on this one.

7. The load

• Is about 60 percent of the weight in front of the axles?
• Is the load centered left to right?
• Is everything strapped down at four points or more?
• Are loose items like rakes, gas cans, and buckets tied down or put away?

8. Ramps, gate, and jack

• Ramps or the rear gate should be up and pinned or latched.
• The tongue jack should be raised all the way, with the foot up or swung out of the way.
• Remove the wheel chocks, and don't drive off with them still in place.

9. Mirrors and a final look

Adjust your mirrors so you can see down both sides of the trailer. If the trailer is wider than your vehicle, towing mirrors make a big difference. Then take one last walk all the way around.

10. Recheck after the first few miles

Pull over somewhere safe after the first few miles. Straps settle, loads shift, and coupler problems often show up early. Check the straps, the coupler, and the tire and hub temperatures. Hold your hand near the hub; a hub that's much hotter than the others deserves a closer look.

Make it a habit

None of these steps is hard, but it's easy to skip one when you're in a hurry. Running the same checklist every time is what keeps small problems from turning into big ones.

Questions about hooking up one of our trailers? Send us a message. See our Rental Fleet page for details on both trailers, and follow us on Facebook for a new towing tip every week.